SPRINGFIELD — The City Council on Tuesday gave first-step approval to increasing the annual trash fee by $15 that includes funds to reopen three branch libraries that were shut down this week.

In other action, the council voted to increase the local hotel room tax from 4 percent to 5 percent starting Oct. 1.

The trash fee increase still needs a final vote of approval at the next council meeting July 16. As proposed, the annual fee will increase from $75 to $90, effective this fiscal year.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno asked for a $10 increase in the fee, rejected by the council on June 18. The higher amount of $15 was proposed by Councilor Timothy C. Allen to include an extra $5 targeting the libraries.

“I’m thrilled with the support of the council,” Allen said following the vote. “This allows us to get very close to reopening the libraries.”

The branch libraries closed on Liberty Street in Liberty Heights, Boston Road in Pine Point, and Island Pond Road in East Forest Park due to city budget cuts. Sarno is willing to restore funds for the closed libraries if the trash fee increase is approved, Chief Administrative and Financial Officer Lee C. Erdmann said.

Approximately 20 people attended the council meeting Tuesday, many applauding as several councilors said they would back the trash fee increase to help reopen the libraries.

East Forest Park resident William T. Foley, a former councilor, said that he, and other people he has spoken to, are willing to pay the extra money on the trash fee for “critical” services such libraries.

Kathleen Murphy, also of East Forest Park, said she gets a $25 discount on her trash fee as a senior citizen, but will pay the extra $5 voluntarily for the libraries.

Other residents have opposed any increase. Mary Dionne, of the Outer Belt area, stated in an email to councilors that the trash fee increase is “clearly a tax” and the council should stick with the June vote to reject the increase.

The hotel tax increase to 5 percent was approved by a 7-5 vote. Sarno had asked for a 6 percent tax, but many councilors said they feared the higher tax would hurt local businesses, particularly in reducing convention business.

“Typically, a hotel tax increase has a negative impact upon attracting visitors and conventions,” bureau President Mary Kay Wydra wrote in a letter to the council. She said it could cost jobs in the region if business slows.

Allen made a motion for the compromise tax of 5 percent, that is estimated to trigger about $150,000 in new tax revenue this fiscal year, according to a city estimate.

Voting for passage of the 5 percent tax were Walsh, Edwards, Williams, Luna, Allen, Ashe and Ferrera. Voting against the tax increase were Concepcion, Shea, Fenton, Lysak and Rooke.

Ashe, in voting for the room tax increase, said the city has serious concerns about public safety, and needs funding for police to help promote security. The perception that the downtown is not safe can lead to less people downtown, he said.